Medical Qigong Therapy Certificate Program
The Only Program of Its Kind in the Nation!
AIMC Berkeley’s 200-hour medical qigong therapy certification program is taught by Dr. Suzanne Friedman, a nationally renowned qigong master, doctor of medical qigong, and author of three books on qigong, including the recent Heal Yourself with Qigong. Our one-of-a-kind program takes a unique approach in which students become scholar-practitioners by studying the healing art along with the words of classic Daoist and medical texts. “It’s really about personal development,” says Friedman of the program, which emphasizes the importance of personal qigong practice. “Once you have developed your own qi, you can use your skills to help other people.” —Suzanne Friedman
The Medical Qigong Therapy Certificate Program is open to anyone with a strong interest in the healing arts, and is designed to accommodate students from outside the Bay Area. The program is made up of four 4-day (28 hour) modules offered in two formats: a Friday through Monday (one 4-day weekend) track, and a two-weekend (two 2-day weekends) format. Both formats offer a module approximately every other month.
Students without prior TCM training or education must take an intensive 2-day Chinese medicine theory seminar with Dr. Friedman before they begin their first module.
Students in the program are eligible to earn their 72 treatment hours by treating at the school’s weekly Qigong clinic (or arranging to practice under supervision at a more conveniently located clinic). Upon completion of the program, students will be able to recommend individualized medical qigong exercises, and treat patients using medical qigong therapy. Most importantly, they will have cultivated and developed their own qi throughout the program.
Features & Benefits
- Study with a modern qigong master
- Gain skills that distinguish you from other practitioners in bodywork and Chinese Medicine
- Teach qigong in gyms, yoga studios, parks, and any other healing space
- Balance your body and mind, and change your life on a profound level
- Receive CEU credit
- Customize your program: Mix and match the series. Take as many or as few modules as you like. Not sure if you want to complete the certificate program? Give the first few modules a try, and then decide!
Dr. Suzanne Friedman, MSTCM, LAc, DMQ (China)
Suzanne is a medical qigong doctor and author of three books on Qigong. She was inducted into her qigong teacher’s lineage as a qigong and neidan (inner alchemy) master and teacher, and trained with Dr. Xu Hongtao at the Xiyuan Hospital’s Qigong Wing in Beijing, China. Dr. Friedman received her doctorate from the Beijing Western District Medical Qigong and TCM Research Institute in Beijing, China. She is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, a Zen priest, and the director of Great Pearl Healing in San Francisco, California. Click here to visit Suzanne’s website.
FAQs
What is Medical Qigong Therapy?
Medical qigong is one of the four main branches of Chinese medicine. “Qi” means life force energy, and “gong” means skill. Medical qigong is the skillful practice of gathering, circulating, and applying life force energy to promote health and healing. Medical qigong has been a successful modality in Chinese medicine throughout the millennia. Disruptions in the electromagnetic energy of the body occur throughout our lifetime as a result of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, emotional and physical trauma, and environmental toxins. Medical qigong treatments and exercises correct bio-energetic imbalances and blockages that lead to pain and illness. Qigong stimulates the body’s healing potential and help strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system. Treatments consist of specific techniques that use the body’s internal and external energy fields to purge, strengthen and balance the body’s energy flow.
Is Medical Qigong a New Development in Chinese Medicine?
Medical qigong is an ancient healing art that has had thousands of years of clinical practice. In contrast to most “new age” energy healing modalities, medical qigong has been practiced as an integral part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Early evidence of qigong, contained in the recently unearthed Daoyin Tu, dates back to around 200 BCE. The Daoyin Tu is a colored manuscript illustrated with pictures of 44 movements practiced to to treat or cure illnesses including deafness, hernia, anxiety, knee pains, neck problems, abdominal bloating, sciatica, fever, and pneumonia, for example.
Do I have to be a Qigong Master to Treat Patients?
Most students with no prior experience are amazed by their own treatment abilities during and after completing the program. Self-cultivation practices such as qigong, meditation and lifestyle adjustments enhance one’s abilities in the qigong clinic. Our program was designed to help foster each student’s abilities by placing equal emphasis on self-cultivation and treating with qigong.
Do the Modules Need to Be Taken in Order?
As an exception, Module 1 can be taken after you begin the other modules (but before you are certified). Modules 2-4 must be taken in order as the content is cumulative.
Can I Start with the Weekend Series and Switch to the Intensive Series for the Next Module (or vice versa)?
Yes, as long as there is space available in the module you would like to attend, and you provide us with three weeks prior notice.
How Do I Register?
Registration for the Spring 2012 Intensive Series is now open. Click here to register for Module 1 of the Spring series. Please visit the Medical Qigong Calendar, Curriculum & Tuition page for more details, or to register for additional modules.
How Will We Get the 72 Hours of Practice Required for Certificate Completion?
You will log some of the 72 hours during class, and the others you will do on your own and record what you did (patient ailments, protocols used, etc.), and submit them to Suzanne for review. If you are in Berkeley at all, AIMC also runs a clinic that you can sign up for (they provide the patients). Either way, you start logging hours after Module 2, which is when you start doing actual protocols.
How Do I Know if I Need to Take the TCM Prerequisite Seminar?
The TCM Prerequisite Seminar is required for anyone who has not had academic training in TCM theory at an acupuncture/ bodywork school. It takes you through the fundamentals of TCM theory and a barrage of acupuncture points to get you ready for the main course.
What if I Need to Miss a Day of Class?
If you must miss a day of class, you can pick up the missed content the next time the course is offered. Please keep in mind that these courses are only offered twice per year, so you may need to wait some time to do this. If you need to miss class, please notify Erin A Olinick at eolinick@aimc.edu.
Participant Testimonials
“Dr. Friedman approaches teaching as a peer showing you “the ropes.” The relationship she has with her students is that of a true instructor instead of the stereotypical ever-elusive master. It makes for a very comfortable, non-judgmental, well-paced learning environment. Dr. Friedman is extremely knowledgeable and has a knack for communicating that knowledge in a very accessible way. In addition, she is a real hoot and should consider stand-up comedy as a backup to the Chinese medicine thing.” —Marcello V.
“Beginning to practice qigong is like that first trip to a foreign country, where many things seem familiar as well as new and curious. There is a sense of calm and a desire for more of that calmness and peace. I sleep better, physically feel more stress-free, and have a more positive outlook. It has been a wonderful experience.” —Claire U.
“I am so glad I found you. I am not so fearful of the chemo now since I have you to assist me through any side effects. I have hope now.” —Pat T.
“The Pulling Down the Heavens exercise helps ground and soothe me when I am feeling stressed, helpless, or overwhelmed. Medical qigong has empowered me with the ability to heal myself—my physical and emotional wounds—much deeper than any other person could ever do. The meditations I have learned have helped guide and channel my excess emotional energy into something more purposeful.“ —Juyhun Kim
“My qigong practice has totally changed my life. My health has improved dramatically in so many ways. I not only feel better, but measurable things like my blood pressure has improved. I don’t feel as well when I don’t practice qigong.” —John Cunningham
“I like practicing the liver healing sound to release stagnated liver energy (stress and tension), and calm the emotions.” —Yuko Gower
“Practicing qigong has improved my balance and flexibility. I can feel the energy moving through my body from the top down, cleansing and grounding me.” —Robert Alexander
“I love moving and twisting my waist and pushing the qi down my legs and pulling qi back up my legs when I practice the Ascending the Yin and Descending the Yang exercise. I can feel the energy leaving my body and the recharged energy coming up into my liver—very charging!“ —J.D.
“The practice of qigong on a regular basis has improved my energy and vitality. At the end of the day my mind is still clear and I want to do productive things rather than sit in front of the television.” —Carlos Praniauskas
“The qigong I learned from you has been a great way to combine meditation and movement in a way that has been directly applicable to my physical and emotional health and well-being. I like the exercises for the heart and lungs, which are the key areas I need to focus on. It has been a pleasure to take classes specifically from you; I think you’re brilliant. You’re very attentive to all of your students, and I love the way you inject humor into some of the most serious of situations.” —Summer Scott
“For me, the Pulling Down Heavens exercise makes my life peaceful and removes negative feelings that I had accumulated inside for a long time.” —Yoko Hino
“I am really enjoying the qigong meditations which use color visualization. They create a wonderful, lasting openness throughout my entire body, and a feeling of serenity and clarity to guide me through the days.” —Jamie Long
“Practicing qigong gives me the same feelings of peace and well-being as meditation, but where meditation makes my mind feel peaceful, qigong makes my entire body feel at peace.” —Mark C
“The practice of qigong has had a profound effect on my life. The holistic, simple movements give me more sustained energy, lower my stress levels, and give me a better sense of well-being.” —David C.
“Qigong has helped me become more aware of my body and more centered. I have more energy and more strength. I believe it has helped boost my fertility, as I easily got pregnant after practicing qigong for a few months.“ —Thuy N.
“The waterfall qigong meditation helps my low back pain, and the other exercises help relax me and give me energy to cope with work and my busy life schedule.” —Valerie O.
“Qigong makes my joints looser, and I feel more calm, relaxed and energized.” —Robert A.
“Qigong has grounded me and increased my sensitivity as a body worker.“ —Brad Y.
“Practicing qigong regularly makes me feel physically stronger and strengthens my relationship to myself and my surroundings. I feel more grounded, calm and energized.” —Whitney T
“Qigong right from the get-go caused dramatic improvements in my life. I feel as though it has stabilized my moods, given me increased energy, and increased sensitivity within my own body.“ —Luke K.
“Practicing qigong has made me more aware of my breath and I take deeper inhales. I am more present in my every day life, and have greater feelings of relaxation.” —Willow L.
“The practice of qigong makes me more grounded, peaceful, and connected to the earth as well as other people. When I practice regularly I feel calmer and closer to my true self.“ —Roselle M
“Qigong practice helps me regain focus and I use it as an active meditation. I feel balanced, energized and centered. I have been given the tools to release stress and anxiety; as a result, I sleep better, have less digestive problems and feel grounded when faced with the many pressures of every day life.” —Kine A.
“Practicing qigong exercises over the last year has made me calmer, given me more energy, and has made me feel more grounded. I feel more creative, more in touch with my higher self, and more in control of my emotions.” —Lisa S
“Qigong connects me to myself and helps me to focus on the “now.” It has helped my digestion and made me more physically flexible.” —Zia A
“After practicing qigong exercises for the past year I feel more grounded and more in control of my health.” —Melanie K.
“I love meditation but more often than not I get frustrated sitting and give up after a few minutes. Qigong, on the other hand, solves that. I get to feel that I’m giving myself a mini-treatment and don’t have as much trouble focusing my intention on what I am doing and clearing my mind. Qigong practice rids me of frustration, fatigue, and I get a good stretch—all while increasing my energy. Its great!”
—Itay N.
“Dr. Friedman is the most brilliant instructor—her information is presented with great detail, clarity, and care. She is very generous with passing on her wisdom.” —Jamie L.
“Dr. Friedman is truly an inspirational teacher. She is engaging, thought provoking, knowledgeable, and user-friendly!” —Lisa S.
“Dr. Friedman is a great communicator. She tells good jokes and I wish I could hang out with her!” —Z. A.
“Dr. Friedman’s delivery of material was energizing and clear. The only 8 hour seminar that doesn’t leave one feeling drained!” —Ayoung K.
“I really enjoyed Dr. Friedman’s method of teaching and her repetition really helped me to learn the skills. I’m looking forward to future seminars!” —Val O.
“Enlightening, well-organized, amusing and comprehensive!” —Robert A.
“Dr. Friedman offers so much information, excellent instruction, and her sense of humor carried us through the eight hours.” —W. T.
Suzanne is a medical qigong doctor and author of three books on Qigong. She was inducted into her qigong teacher’s lineage as a qigong and neidan (inner alchemy) master and teacher, and trained with Dr. Xu Hongtao at the Xiyuan Hospital’s Qigong Wing in Beijing, China. Dr. Friedman received her doctorate from the Beijing Western District Medical Qigong and TCM Research Institute in Beijing, China. She is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, a Zen priest, and the director of Great Pearl Healing in San Francisco, California. Click here to visit Suzanne’s website.
What is Medical Qigong Therapy?
Medical qigong is one of the four main branches of Chinese medicine. “Qi” means life force energy, and “gong” means skill. Medical qigong is the skillful practice of gathering, circulating, and applying life force energy to promote health and healing. Medical qigong has been a successful modality in Chinese medicine throughout the millennia. Disruptions in the electromagnetic energy of the body occur throughout our lifetime as a result of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, emotional and physical trauma, and environmental toxins. Medical qigong treatments and exercises correct bio-energetic imbalances and blockages that lead to pain and illness. Qigong stimulates the body’s healing potential and help strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system. Treatments consist of specific techniques that use the body’s internal and external energy fields to purge, strengthen and balance the body’s energy flow.
Is Medical Qigong a New Development in Chinese Medicine?
Do I have to be a Qigong Master to Treat Patients?
Do the Modules Need to Be Taken in Order?
Can I Start with the Weekend Series and Switch to the Intensive Series for the Next Module (or vice versa)?
How Do I Register?
How Will We Get the 72 Hours of Practice Required for Certificate Completion?
How Do I Know if I Need to Take the TCM Prerequisite Seminar?
What if I Need to Miss a Day of Class?
“Beginning to practice qigong is like that first trip to a foreign country, where many things seem familiar as well as new and curious. There is a sense of calm and a desire for more of that calmness and peace. I sleep better, physically feel more stress-free, and have a more positive outlook. It has been a wonderful experience.” —Claire U.
“I am so glad I found you. I am not so fearful of the chemo now since I have you to assist me through any side effects. I have hope now.” —Pat T.
“The Pulling Down the Heavens exercise helps ground and soothe me when I am feeling stressed, helpless, or overwhelmed. Medical qigong has empowered me with the ability to heal myself—my physical and emotional wounds—much deeper than any other person could ever do. The meditations I have learned have helped guide and channel my excess emotional energy into something more purposeful.“ —Juyhun Kim
“My qigong practice has totally changed my life. My health has improved dramatically in so many ways. I not only feel better, but measurable things like my blood pressure has improved. I don’t feel as well when I don’t practice qigong.” —John Cunningham
“I like practicing the liver healing sound to release stagnated liver energy (stress and tension), and calm the emotions.” —Yuko Gower
“Practicing qigong has improved my balance and flexibility. I can feel the energy moving through my body from the top down, cleansing and grounding me.” —Robert Alexander
“I love moving and twisting my waist and pushing the qi down my legs and pulling qi back up my legs when I practice the Ascending the Yin and Descending the Yang exercise. I can feel the energy leaving my body and the recharged energy coming up into my liver—very charging!“ —J.D.
“The practice of qigong on a regular basis has improved my energy and vitality. At the end of the day my mind is still clear and I want to do productive things rather than sit in front of the television.” —Carlos Praniauskas
“The qigong I learned from you has been a great way to combine meditation and movement in a way that has been directly applicable to my physical and emotional health and well-being. I like the exercises for the heart and lungs, which are the key areas I need to focus on. It has been a pleasure to take classes specifically from you; I think you’re brilliant. You’re very attentive to all of your students, and I love the way you inject humor into some of the most serious of situations.” —Summer Scott
“For me, the Pulling Down Heavens exercise makes my life peaceful and removes negative feelings that I had accumulated inside for a long time.” —Yoko Hino
“I am really enjoying the qigong meditations which use color visualization. They create a wonderful, lasting openness throughout my entire body, and a feeling of serenity and clarity to guide me through the days.” —Jamie Long
“Practicing qigong gives me the same feelings of peace and well-being as meditation, but where meditation makes my mind feel peaceful, qigong makes my entire body feel at peace.” —Mark C
“The practice of qigong has had a profound effect on my life. The holistic, simple movements give me more sustained energy, lower my stress levels, and give me a better sense of well-being.” —David C.
“Qigong has helped me become more aware of my body and more centered. I have more energy and more strength. I believe it has helped boost my fertility, as I easily got pregnant after practicing qigong for a few months.“ —Thuy N.
“The waterfall qigong meditation helps my low back pain, and the other exercises help relax me and give me energy to cope with work and my busy life schedule.” —Valerie O.
“Qigong makes my joints looser, and I feel more calm, relaxed and energized.” —Robert A.
“Qigong has grounded me and increased my sensitivity as a body worker.“ —Brad Y.
“Practicing qigong regularly makes me feel physically stronger and strengthens my relationship to myself and my surroundings. I feel more grounded, calm and energized.” —Whitney T
“Qigong right from the get-go caused dramatic improvements in my life. I feel as though it has stabilized my moods, given me increased energy, and increased sensitivity within my own body.“ —Luke K.
“Practicing qigong has made me more aware of my breath and I take deeper inhales. I am more present in my every day life, and have greater feelings of relaxation.” —Willow L.
“The practice of qigong makes me more grounded, peaceful, and connected to the earth as well as other people. When I practice regularly I feel calmer and closer to my true self.“ —Roselle M
“Qigong practice helps me regain focus and I use it as an active meditation. I feel balanced, energized and centered. I have been given the tools to release stress and anxiety; as a result, I sleep better, have less digestive problems and feel grounded when faced with the many pressures of every day life.” —Kine A.
“Practicing qigong exercises over the last year has made me calmer, given me more energy, and has made me feel more grounded. I feel more creative, more in touch with my higher self, and more in control of my emotions.” —Lisa S
“Qigong connects me to myself and helps me to focus on the “now.” It has helped my digestion and made me more physically flexible.” —Zia A
“After practicing qigong exercises for the past year I feel more grounded and more in control of my health.” —Melanie K.
“I love meditation but more often than not I get frustrated sitting and give up after a few minutes. Qigong, on the other hand, solves that. I get to feel that I’m giving myself a mini-treatment and don’t have as much trouble focusing my intention on what I am doing and clearing my mind. Qigong practice rids me of frustration, fatigue, and I get a good stretch—all while increasing my energy. Its great!”
—Itay N.
“Dr. Friedman is the most brilliant instructor—her information is presented with great detail, clarity, and care. She is very generous with passing on her wisdom.” —Jamie L.
“Dr. Friedman is truly an inspirational teacher. She is engaging, thought provoking, knowledgeable, and user-friendly!” —Lisa S.
“Dr. Friedman is a great communicator. She tells good jokes and I wish I could hang out with her!” —Z. A.
“Dr. Friedman’s delivery of material was energizing and clear. The only 8 hour seminar that doesn’t leave one feeling drained!” —Ayoung K.
“I really enjoyed Dr. Friedman’s method of teaching and her repetition really helped me to learn the skills. I’m looking forward to future seminars!” —Val O.
“Enlightening, well-organized, amusing and comprehensive!” —Robert A.
“Dr. Friedman offers so much information, excellent instruction, and her sense of humor carried us through the eight hours.” —W. T.
Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization committed to the development of caring, proficient, and successful practitioners who serve communities and the Oriental medicine profession worldwide by treating illness and promoting health and wellness.
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